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Repeat performance

Julie Duzevich with other residents opposed to the construction of a 40m tower at Bell Hill Reserve. Picture: Marie Nirme www.communitypix.com.au d450836

More than 20 protestors expressed outrage at the telco’s recent application to the Shire of Chittering to put a 40m tower at Bell Hill Reserve.

It is the second application in less than 12 months.

Julie Duzevich, whose property neighbours the Bell Hill site, said receiving news of the proposal “was like a knife to the stomach”.

“Last year was a nightmare. And now we will have to go through it all again,” she said.

The company’s application to install a 40m wireless tower at Bell Hill Reserve was rejected by the Shire of Chittering in May last year, despite a recommendation to support it from its planning department.

Ms Duzevich said she thought NBN Co was trying its luck because of the change of council in October last year.

“We made a petition which got 142 signatures last year,” she said.

“There were also 80 written submissions to council, with 72 against and eight for.

“My concerns this time around are the councillors voting are from Muchea and Lower Chittering, so they won’t care about where it goes.”

NBN Co claimed it had investigated alternative sites in the area, but the other locations would not provide as good coverage.

“The towers would reach the maximum number of residents from the Bell Hill Reserve site, which would provide fast connection for at least 360 premises,” the spokesperson said.

NBN Co also said the towers needed to be placed in a prominent position and have line of sight for antennas on the towers to provide a good connection.

Agricultural Region MLC Martin Aldridge said the town had needed the tower for a long time.